Last week, the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for the trial to start -- upholding his indictment by ruling that Jefferson's rights weren't violated when the grand jury received evidence that violated legislative immunity.

While normally, a federal corruption trial would be a detriment to winning re-election, Jefferson has shown repeatedly that he is popular in his district. He is seen by constituents as being a key figure in helping his district, which represents New Orleans and surrounding suburban parishes, rebound from Hurricane Katrina.

On Capitol Hill though, Democrats have already tried to marginalize him. They removed him from the prominent Ways and Means Committee. Speaker Pelosi did allow him to be on the Homeland Security Committee, arguing that it was an "appropriate" seat for Jefferson, given the committee's jurisdiction over Katrina-related matters.

But it's unclear if Democrats would allow that again in the new Congress. The House Ethics committee will also take up his case if he is found guilty.